What Exactly is Trebbiano?

The second most commonly planted grape in Italy — Trebbiano – does not exist. Not without a modifier, at least. Trebbiano Toscana is real. So is Trebbiano Giallo. And Trebbiano Spoletino. The family is quite large, actually, with endless varieties grown all over Italy and beyond. Yet genetic research shows that the Trebbiano children do not share the same parents. In fact, the only definitive finding of a 2001 genetic study on the Trebbiano grapes – as well as some similar grapes from different families – was that Trebbiano di Soave and di Lugana are actually Verdicchio.